Hundreds of people crowded into the ballroom of the Bowie State University student center on Sunday to signal their support for the Affordable Care Act, part of a "national day of action" that brought similar rallies to cities around the country.

More people showed up to the Bowie rally than the ballroom at Bowie State could hold. After speaking to the crowd inside the building, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, who organized the event, addressed the large crowd gathered outside from atop the student center steps. Other elected officials did the same.

Organizers estimated 1,500 people attended the rally, including those outside and others who were funneled to an overflow room.

Van Hollen and the other speakers urged the crowd to act together to tell President-elect Donald Trump and Republican members of Congress not to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

"They (have) laid the groundwork, but they've got a long way to go before they can actually get it (the repeal) done," Van Hollen, a Democrat, said. "It's our job to stop them from getting it done."

A rally in defense of the Affordable Care Act was held at Bowie State University.

(Joshua McKerrow)

The national day of action, also called "Our First Stand," was organized by Democratic leaders in Congress in late December to protest changes to the Affordable Care Act, including its repeal, ahead of Trump's inauguration.

Trump and Republican members of Congress have pledged to repeal the health care law that came about under President Barack Obama. Last week, the House and Senate both approved a "budget blueprint" that paves the way for quicker repeal of the law, allowing Republicans to end major parts of it without the threat of a filibuster by Democrats in the Senate.

Edwards said his wife had just graduated from law school when she was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer.

Their health insurance covered her surgery and treatment, and the Affordable Care Act remains important to them, he said.

"Without the provision of 'no pre-existing conditions' blocking health care in the future, she can continue to be insured and get treatment for the rest of her life, which is what it's going to take," Edwards said.